jap-sai wrote:Took it to my new LBS today & they said they could replace my BB for $70-$75 (including labour).

Eeep! Mine cost $30, parts and labour. That was for removal and replacement with a new sealed unit. Not really worth buying the tools and finding the time at that price. I'd find a new LBS if I were you.

UPDATE: Yesterday, I got a new chain & cassette fitted (Shimano Chain [$20] & 6 speed cassette [$30] fitting [$20]), was like riding a new bike, so smooth. I got a quote for a new Bottom Axel & Bottom Bracket ($60 including labour) so will get that done this comming friday. Then I will start looking at a new crank set, as the teeth on my one are quite well worn.

Have decided to upgrade certain sections of the bike, one at a time, after the crank set I will upgrade the brakes. I will be leaving the frame until last, it will get sand blasted & repainted. Can't wait.!

Hi guys, I remember seeing something around about 'decoding' the serial number on frames. I've been trying to find it using the search function but haven't been able to relocate it. Can anyone help me out please? For what it's worth, the code is: K9K5389.

Crowz wrote:Hi guys, I remember seeing something around about 'decoding' the serial number on frames. I've been trying to find it using the search function but haven't been able to relocate it. Can anyone help me out please? For what it's worth, the code is: K9K5389.

UPDATE: Yesterday I got the BB/AXEL replaced, this fixed the off-center crank to a degree but to straighten it completely had to get it pin & hammered. $55 BB Inc. labour, $10 to straighten the crank. $65 total.Pics of original BB.Took the bike for a 50k ride yesterday, was fantastic, like a completely new bike to ride. Very happy.Next, new crank set in a couple of weeks time, followed by new brake set.

jap-sai wrote:UPDATE: Yesterday I got the BB/AXEL replaced, this fixed the off-center crank to a degree but to straighten it completely had to get it pin & hammered. $55 BB Inc. labour, $10 to straighten the crank. $65 total.Pics of original BB.Took the bike for a 50k ride yesterday, was fantastic, like a completely new bike to ride. Very happy.Next, new crank set in a couple of weeks time, followed by new brake set.

You could of got a new Shimano UN26 cartridge bb of eBay for $16 delivered.

$16 shimano bb Link?????Don't have the tools to do it myself otherwise I would have gone down that path of buying a cheap BB & doing it. Pin & hammered, I have no idea what that means, but it straightened my crank, they charged me $10 (rip off), should have been included in the overall price of $55. Anyway it's done.

jap-sai wrote:$16 shimano bb Link?????Don't have the tools to do it myself otherwise I would have gone down that path of buying a cheap BB & doing it. Pin & hammered, I have no idea what that means, but it straightened my crank, they charged me $10 (rip off), should have been included in the overall price of $55. Anyway it's done.

After admiring a Tri A in the bike stand at work for a year (pink with a mad dark paint splotches and 105 group set). I was going to revive a black and yellow RT Sport, but I managed to purchase an all original '87 superlite in a burgundy and lilac combo (same as the frame munga recently sold).

only 2 owners (came with the owners manual) Sugino VP cranksetProstar 500 brakesshimano shifters and derailleurs (not sure about the details as only they have shimano stamp)

I was pretty stoked to get it home... couldn't believe my better half's comments though... she referred to the colour as poo brown!

jap-sai wrote:$16 shimano bb Link?????Don't have the tools to do it myself otherwise I would have gone down that path of buying a cheap BB & doing it. Pin & hammered, I have no idea what that means, but it straightened my crank, they charged me $10 (rip off), should have been included in the overall price of $55. Anyway it's done.

Just to clarify - $10 to perform a pretty major operation (on a part you're going to soon replace) is a rip off? Sounds like good value to me - forgetting for a moment the option of just buying a new, sealed BB.

Anyway - glad its sorted for you - did you check the axle, comes and bearings for wear while you had them out?

yes $16 is a good price, but I am not willing to wait 4 weeks for an item to arrive from Hong Kong. I bought my bike bell for $1 on ebay from Hong Kong, took 4 weeks to arrive. Its okay if your planning ahead for things & future builds but when you want something done for the weekend, best to pay more & get it done.

'Anyway - glad its sorted for you - did you check the axle, comes and bearings for wear while you had them out?'

It may be a couple of weeks before I get a crank set so $10 to see me through, no probs.The axel, as you can see in the above pics is completely gone on one side. I did not see the bearings or bearing runner things, but the guy said on one side the bearings had come loose & one was off on it's own. Was a mess anyway. glad I got it done.

Yeah, photos didn't load on mobile device - that axle is, well, bolloxed. Similarly, iPhone decided to replace all my correctly spelt words with (correctly spelt) alternatives. Cones with an n. For what its worth, i doubt this would take 4 weeks to arrive.